The Ancient Witnesses

84 • The Ancient Witnesses: A Journey to Discover Our Sacred Roots

“Both passages,” Mentor concluded, “tell of the cosmic or heavenly rebellion against the ‘Most High,’ and both describe the rebel Satan’s defeat. In another passage, when the disciples returned from their mission of preaching and casting out demons, Jesus declared ‘I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven.’ 23 When exactly did Satan begin to rebel, and when was he expelled from heaven? It must have been before he appeared as the serpent in the Garden of Eden.” Augustine saluted again and was called on by Mentor. “As I have explained in my work, The Literal Meaning of Genesis, I believe that Satan’s fall came soon after he was created, since as we read in the Gospel of John, our Lord Jesus Christ described Satan as “a murderer from the beginning.” 24 By now, Joseph’s question—When did evil enter the world?—had been addressed. Mentor had not forgotten my question, but changed it to include the angels. He phrased it like this, “Why had God given his creatures— humans and angels—free will, knowing some would rebel?” Origen of Alexandria was called on to testify. He was very old, and rose with great difficulty as if in pain, but his voice was strong and clear. “In His ineffable word and wisdom,” Origen began, “God, the Father of all things, determined that his creatures should be free to exercise their own will.

23 Luke 10:18.

24 See John 8.44, and Augustine, The Literal Meaning of Genesis XI.16.21 (not in NPNF) in Edmond Hill, On Genesis (New York: New City Press, 2002), 440.